Solve the problem.
-Two cars leave an intersection. One car travels north; the other east. When the car traveling north had gone 12 miles, the distance between the cars was 4 miles more than the distance traveled by the car heading east. How far had the eastbound car traveled?
A) 24 miles
B) 20 miles
C) 12 miles
D) 16 miles

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The situation forms a right triangle with the cars' paths as the legs. Let $x$ be the distance traveled by the eastbound car. According to the Pythagorean theorem, $12^2 + x^2 = (x + 4)^2$. Solving for $x$, we find $x = 16$ miles.

Solve the Problem. -Two Cars Leave an Intersection. One Car Travels North; the Travels